Department for Transport

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) staff, (b) recruitment and (c) other costs of press liaison, publicity and marketing of High Speed 2 have been to date.

Andrew Jones: For the period of 2011/12 – 2015/16 HS2 Ltd has incurred the following costs associated with press liaison, publicity and marketing of HS2: (a) staff - £0.9m. This is the total payroll cost for HS2 Ltd staff (i.e. permanent staff). This excludes contingent labour and secondees; (b) recruitment - HS2 Ltd incurs, manages and controls its recruitment costs centrally and, as such, it is not possible to identify the costs incurred in specific business functions; and (c) other costs of press liaison, publicity and marketing of High Speed 2 - £1.1m Expenditure prior to 2011/12 was not broken down by expenditure type in this way.

Home Office

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what bi-lateral discussions she has had with her counterparts in which EU member states on the long-term status of UK citizens in those member states.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help secure the long-term status of UK citizens in other EU member states before Article 50 negotiations formally begin; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government has repeatedly stated that there will be no immediate changes in the circumstances of UK nationals and their family members entering or currently residing in the European Union.During the period of the negotiations, the UK remains a full member of the EU, entitled to all the benefits and obligations of membership. We have published guidance on gov.uk which makes this clear.It is a Government priority to protect the legal rights of British nationals living in EU countries, as well as EU nationals in the UK, and we are confident that we will be able secure those things together during discussions with our EU partners.As part of this process, the Secretary of State will continue to work closely with EU counterparts and with relevant stakeholders.

Refugees: Children

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children with refugee status in the UK have been granted permission to sponsor family members to join them under the refugee family reunion rules in each of the last three years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Under the Family Reunion Rules, children cannot sponsor family members. Any grant of leave in such cases would be on an exceptional basis outside the Immigration Rules. To obtain the information would involve examining individual case records and would incur a disproportionate cost.

Detainees: Vulnerable Adults

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation her Department has held on the draft Adults at Risk policy for vulnerable people detained under immigration powers.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Stephen Shaw carried out a comprehensive consultation in preparing his report of his review of the welfare of vulnerable people in immigration detention, and the draft adults at risk policy forms part of the Government’s response to Mr Shaw’s review. The Government saw no reason to duplicate this in developing the adults at risk policy. However, when the draft policy was published on 26 May, the Government wrote to a wide range of relevant non-Governmental organisations and offered them the opportunity to discuss it. Subsequently, Home Office officials have held meetings with a number of interested organisations, and the views of these organisations have been taken into account as the policy has been developed further.

Detainees: Vulnerable Adults

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how the effect of the Adults at Risk policy for vulnerable people detained under immigration powers will be measured.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Consideration is being given to arrangements for measuring the impact of the adults at risk policy and other initiatives aimed at improving the safeguarding of vulnerable people in immigration detention. The expectation is that these initiatives will result in a reduction in the number of the most vulnerable who are detained. The Government intends to ask Stephen Shaw to carry out a short review next year in order to assess progress against the key actions from his previous report.

Immigrants: Detainees

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms are in place to monitor the application of Section 60 of the Immigration Act 2016, on limitation on detention of pregnant women.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office has issued guidance to Immigration Enforcement caseworkers, enforcement officers and Border Force officers on the application of section 60 of the Immigration Act 2016. This was published on GOV.UK on 12 July, and includes monitoring tools to track the detention of pregnant women.

Asylum: Families

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to speed up the application process for refugee family reunion.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Customer service is a key priority for UK Visas and Immigration, and the efficiency and effectiveness of the visa application process is kept under regular review, including by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration. Customers now apply and pay online in addition to being able to make appointments to submit their documents and biometrics at visa application centres in over 200 locations around the world.The published service standard for resolving refugee family reunion applications is within 12 weeks, or 60 working days. Where an application is complex and likely to take longer than the advertised processing times, UKVI will contact the applicant to inform them of this.

Refugees: Children

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children with refugee status in the UK have been granted permission to sponsor family members to join them under the refugee family reunion rules in each of the last three years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Under the Family Reunion Rules, children cannot sponsor family members. Any grant of leave in such cases would be on an exceptional basis outside the Immigration Rules. To obtain the information would involve examining individual case records and would incur a disproportionate cost.

Immigrants: Detainees

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a maximum limit on the length of time a person can be detained under immigration law.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government does not believe that it is appropriate for there to be a formal time limit on immigration detention.

Immigration Enforcement Directorate

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Statement of 14 January 2016, HCWS470, when she plans to publish the Immigration Enforcement's Business Plan for 2016-17.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Immigration Enforcement planning for 2016-17 and beyond will be reviewed by the new Secretary of State and published in due course.

Refugees: Children

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she intends to allow children with refugee status to sponsor their parents for the purposes of refugee family renunion.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The current family reunion policy meets our international obligations and strikes the right balance. There are no plans to extend the criteria. Allowing children to sponsor parents would create perverse incentives for them to be encouraged, or even forced, to leave their family and risk hazardous journeys to the UK to sponsor relatives. This plays into the hands of criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people and goes against our safe guarding responsibilities.Where a family reunion application fails under the Immigration Rules we consider whether there are exceptional circumstances or compassionate reasons to justify granting a visa outside the Rules.

Road Traffic Offences: Speed Limits

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hand-held radar speed detectors are in use by police constabularies in England; and whether her Department has made an assessment of the merits of recruiting and training civilian volunteers to use such detectors.

Brandon Lewis: The Home Office does not hold this information centrally. The purchase and deployment of speed enforcement devices is a local operational matter for individual police forces. There has been no assessment made on the merits of recruiting and training civilian volunteers in the use of these devices. Decisions on how the public can assist the police in speed enforcement activity are matters for individual Chief Officers.

Passports

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to introduce a new passport with a navy blue cover for the UK following the exit of the UK from the EU; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There are no immediate plans for changes to the format or colour of the UK passport. Parliament will be informed of any changes to the passport following UK withdrawal from the European Union.

Detainees: Vulnerable Adults

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation her Department has undertaken on the draft Adults at Risk policy for vulnerable people detained under immigration powers.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Stephen Shaw carried out a comprehensive consultation in preparing his report of his review of the welfare of vulnerable people in immigration detention, and the draft adults at risk policy forms part of the Government’s response to Mr Shaw’s review. The Government saw no reason to duplicate this in developing the adults at risk policy. However, when the draft policy was published on 26 May, the Government wrote to a wide range of relevant non-Governmental organisations and offered them the opportunity to discuss it. Subsequently, Home Office officials have held meetings with a number of interested organisations, and the views of these organisations have been taken into account as the policy has been developed further.

Welfare in Detention of Vulnerable Persons Review

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for Stephen Shaw to complete his follow-up review of the use of immigration detention.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The follow up to Stephen Shaw’s review into the welfare in detention of vulnerable persons will take place in late 2017, with timings to be agreed with Mr Shaw.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to reduce or abolish the fee for permanent residency applications for EU citizens.

Sarah Newton: This Government has no plans to reduce or abolish the fee for permanent residency applications for EU citizens.

EU Nationals

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to guarantee the rights in the UK of citizens of other EU member states who had been in resident in the UK for less than (a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four and (e) five years on 23 June 2016.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that her Department consults with civil society organisations on the future of EU citizens in the UK.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of whether (a) EU citizens in the UK have any acquired rights under Article 70 of the Vienna Convention and (b) UK citizens living in other EU member states have any such rights; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Compact between Government and the voluntary and community sector includes a requirement on her Department to liaise with (a) civil society organisations which represent the interests of EU citizens and (b) community groups and support agencies that are working with EU citizens.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues on securing the long-term future of EU citizens in the UK.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government has repeatedly stated that there will be no immediate changes in the circumstances of European nationals and their family members entering or currently residing in the UK. We have published guidance on gov.uk which makes this clear.The Government want to be able to guarantee the legal status of EU nationals who are living in the UK, and we are confident that we will be able to do this. But we must also win the same rights for British nationals living in European countries, and it will be a priority for the Government to achieve those things together.As part of this process, the Home Secretary will continue to work closely with colleagues across Whitehall and the Government will engage with relevant stakeholders.Article 70 of the Vienna Convention applies to States only. It does not create rights for individuals. Nevertheless, we would expect to deal with the rights of EU nationals already living in the UK and the rights of UK citizens living in other EU member states as part of the UK’s exit negotiations.

Domestic Violence: Homicide

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women were killed by their current or former partner in (a) Suffolk, (b) the East of England and (c) England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Sarah Newton: The Home Office Homicide Index contains information on partner / ex-partner homicides. Information on the number of women aged 16 or over killed by a partner or ex-partner in (a) Suffolk and (b) the East of England and (c) England and Wales for each of the last five years is given in the table.Table 1: Number of homicides recorded by the police in Suffolk, the East of England and England and Wales, where a woman aged 16 or over was killed by a partner or ex-partner, 2010/11 to 2014/15 1,2.3Partner or ex-partner42010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15 Number of victimsSuffolk20003East of England59101238England and Wales9789778581  1. Source: Homicide Index, Home Office2. Police recorded crime data are not designated as National Statistics 3. As at 13 November 2015; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.4. Partner / ex-partner homicides include the following relationships: spouse, cohabiting partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-spouse/ex-cohabiting partner/ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, adulterous relationship, lover’s spouse or emotional rival.5. Includes Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk police.

Bombings: Birmingham

Mr Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide full financial support and administrative oversight for the relatives of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings of 1974; and if she will ensure that past and future expenses of those victims relating to investigations into those bombings are reimbursed or paid from the public purse.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Prime Minister has received correspondence from the families of the victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, requesting a special scheme be set up for funding of the families’ legal representation at the newly reopened Coroner’s inquest into the bombings. The Government is carefully considering these requests, and will respond directly to these parties in due course.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Department for Energy and Climate Change: UK Withdrawal from EU

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of which policy areas within his Department's remit will be affected by the outcome of the EU referendum.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Government’s guiding principle throughout the process of leaving the EU will be to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people. At this stage, it is not possible to assess the implications of the outcome of the EU referendum on the potential solar jobs figures set out in the Impact Assessment.

Renewable Energy

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timetable is for publishing the Government's analysis of whole system costs.

Mr Nick Hurd: Following peer review by experts in the field of whole system impacts, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will publish the methodology report of the Whole System Impacts of Electricity Generation Technologies project in due course.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Yemen: Peace Negotiations

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will work with (a) Oman and (b) other Middle Eastern countries to broker a deal to end the current conflict in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), met his Saudi, Emirates and US counterparts on 19 July in London to review the situation in Yemen. A political solution is the best way to bring long-term stability and end the conflict. We welcome and fully support the UN led talks in Kuwait: now is the time to reach an agreement. We will continue to work closely with the UN and partners in the Middle East, including Oman, to encourage both sides to engage constructively.

Bangladesh: Religious Freedom

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Bangladesh on tackling increasing levels of violence against minority Hindu communities in that country.

Alok Sharma: The British Government is extremely concerned by the increase in extremist-related violence against a number of minority groups including Hindus in Bangladesh since September 2015. The former Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers. We welcome Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, but this must be implemented in a way that fully respects the international rights standards that Bangladesh has signed up to and which, as a member of both the Commonwealth and the UN Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold.

Bangladesh: Religious Freedom

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will take steps to encourage the government of Bangladesh to put the perpetrators of violence against religious minorities in the region on trial as soon as possible.

Alok Sharma: The British Government is extremely concerned by the increase in extremist-related violence against a number of minority groups including Hindus in Bangladesh since September 2015. The former Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers. We welcome Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, but this must be implemented in a way that fully respects the international rights standards that Bangladesh has signed up to and which, as a member of both the Commonwealth and the UN Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold.

Israel: Arms Trade

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to impose an embargo on the sale of arms between the UK and Israel.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. We do not believe that imposing a blanket arms embargo on Israel would promote the urgent progress towards the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which we want to see. We continue to monitor the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and take into account the latest circumstances when assessing licence applications. Israel, like any state, has the right to ensure its own security, as its citizens also have the right to live without fear of attack and we will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself.

China: Organs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN on forced organ harvesting in China.

Alok Sharma: The Government has no plans to make representations to the UN on organ harvesting in China. We pay close attention to the human rights situation in China, including allegations of organ harvesting and encourage China to implement its public commitment to stop the use of organs from prisoners. Our current assessment of the human rights situation in China can be found in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy.

China: Abduction

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese government on the abduction of activists from outside mainland China.

Alok Sharma: The British Government remain concerned by the case of British citizen Lee Po and the other four Hong Kong booksellers. The National Security Adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, raised the case with the Chinese authorities on 13 June at the UK-China Security Dialogue. The former Foreign Secretary my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) also raised the case with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities on 8 and 9 April.

Tibet: Human Rights

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of China on human rights in Tibet.

Alok Sharma: We set out our human rights concerns about China, and specifically in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual report on Human Rights and Democracy. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness of Anelay of St Johns raised our concerns about the Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk with the Director of the National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Committee on 7 July.

Hong Kong: Human Rights

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with Chinese government on protection of freedom of religious belief and human rights in Hong Kong.

Alok Sharma: We take a close interest in the respect of all rights and freedoms guaranteed for Hong Kong in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, including freedom of religion. In the Government’s six monthly report to the House published in February 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015), we raised concerns about freedom of the press. During his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 9 April, the former Foreign Secretary my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) stressed the importance of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all residents of Hong Kong.

China: Christianity

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Chinese government on the removal of crosses from Christian churches in Zhejiang province.

Alok Sharma: We pay close attention to the human rights situation in China and remain concerned by all reports of restrictions to freedom of religion or belief and persecution of faith groups, including reports of the removal of crosses from Christian churches in Zhejiang Province. A British official visited Wenzhou in May and spoke to church leaders. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness of Anelay of St Johns raised the case of Ding Cuimei, who reportedly died while protesting the demolition of her church in Zhejiang province, with the Director of the National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Committee on 7 July.

Tibet: Human Rights

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions the Government has had with (a) the Dalai Lama and (b) dissidents on human rights in Tibet.

Alok Sharma: The Dalai Lama has not visited the UK since September 2015. Ministers did not meet the Dalai Lama during that visit. Officials discuss the human rights situation in Tibet regularly with NGOs and human rights activists. UK officials visited Tibetan regions in Gansu in March. UK officials have requested permission to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region later this year, but the Chinese authorities have not yet confirmed a date.

Yemen: Bombings

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the bombing of an Oxfam warehouse in Saada on 18 April 2015; and if he will commission a Government inquiry into that bombing.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are aware of allegations of the bombing of an Oxfam warehouse on 18 April 2015. It is important that thorough and conclusive investigations are conducted into this incident. We encourage NGOs to share information of incidents of concern with HMG to be considered in the analysis conducted by MOD.

Department for Education

Teachers: Internet

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on its teaching blog since that blog was established.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many visits her Department's teaching blog has received on average each week since that blog was established.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many staff of her Department work on its teaching blog.

Nick Gibb: The teaching blog has received an average of 758 visits per week, and 15,938 visits in total. The costs are only in staff time and image usage of £2.50 per image as the blog is hosted on the GOV.UK platform. The blog is run by the Department’s social media team as a small proportion of one member of staff’s overall workload.

Department for Education: Babies

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what facilities are available for (a) lactating mothers and (b) the changing of babies in her Department.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education’s main office in London has a facility for both nursing mothers and baby changing. This room is clearly signed as a baby changing area and contains a baby changing fold down work top, wipes, and chairs for nursing mothers to sit comfortably. Other Department sites in Coventry, Darlington, Manchester and Sheffield also have a room available for use by nursing mothers and baby changing which contain seating, worktop areas and wipes. The Nottingham site is a conference centre, with overnight accommodation facilities. This site is able to prepare a suitable hotel room for nursing mothers and baby changing when required.

Overseas Students: EU Nationals

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students from other EU countries are registered to attend UK universities in the academic year 2016-17.

Joseph Johnson: Interim data on the number of EU domiciled applicants accepted to study full-time undergraduate courses in the 2016/17 academic year will be published by UCAS on 29th September. The UCAS timetable of statistical releases can be found at the following link: https://www.ucas.com/corporate/data-and-analysis/ucas-undergraduate-releases/ucas-undergraduate-timetable-data-and As at 26th May, 49,600 EU domiciled individuals (excluding UK) had applied to attend UK higher education institutions for the 2016-17 academic year. This does not include those studying at postgraduate level or on a part-time basis. Information on enrolments in all modes and levels of study will be included in the 2016/17 Higher Education Statistics Agency’s (HESA) Student Record, which will be available from January 2018.

Teachers: Training

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the performance of the National Allocation Scheme relating to initial teacher training as part of National Teaching School programme.

Nick Gibb: There is no ‘National Allocation Scheme’, but this year we have used recruitment controls for the purpose of recruitment to Initial Teacher Training (ITT). Information on these recruitment controls can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/initial-teacher-training-itt-recruitment-controls In response to feedback from the sector from previous years, we changed the approach to initial teacher training (ITT) allocations for 2016-17 recruitment. The National College for Teaching and Leadership did not allocate a specific number of places to individual organisations for postgraduate ITT courses due to start in the 2016-17 academic year. Instead, eligible schools, School Centred Initial Teacher Training providers (SCITTs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) are able to recruit (subject to a limited number of controls) as many trainees as they feel they need until the overall system has recruited sufficient trainees. The Census data which will be published online later in 2016 will indicate the number of trainees recruited by subject.

Teachers: Training

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on regionalisation of the initial teacher training programme.

Nick Gibb: We are monitoring recruitment at a regional level in all subjects to ensure that the regional balance of initial teacher training (ITT) provision is maintained. We reserve the right to control recruitment in particular regions for all ITT routes and courses. It is important to maintain the regional balance of ITT provision and consequently we may use recruitment controls to prevent significant geographical variation in the distribution of provision compared to previous years. However, we will not operate with regional targets.

Ofsted: Staff

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many staff were employed by Ofsted in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total net budget of Ofsted was in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many inspectors operated at Ofsted in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.

Nick Gibb: These are matters for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw. I have asked him to write to you and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House libraries.

Home Education

Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that children who are home schooled receive a comparable level of education to that received in a school.

Nick Gibb: Responsibility for providing a suitable full-time education for children of compulsory school age who are educated at home rests with the parents. Although local authorities do not have a power to monitor such provision on a routine basis, they are under a duty to identify children who are not receiving a suitable full-time education. As part of that process, they will take appropriate steps to ensure that if a child is not being properly educated at home to serve a school attendance order. The department publishes guidance to local authorities on this matter, which is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/288135/guidelines_for_las_on_elective_home_educationsecondrevisev2_0.pdf

Teachers: Resignations

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2016 to Question 41323, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of teachers leaving state-funded schools between 2011 and 2015; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The proportion of teachers leaving the profession has remained at around 10% a year since 1996. However, there are more qualified teachers than ever before with 440,000 in 2011 compared to 456,900 in 2015. We recognise that it is vital for schools to be able to retain good teachers – that is why we have made policy interventions in the areas that teachers tell us matter most such as improving pupil behaviour and reducing unnecessary workload. We asked Tom Bennett, a behaviour expert, to chair an expert group to develop core content on behaviour management for the framework of content for initial teacher training, and the group’s recommendations were published last week. We set up three independent review groups to address unnecessary workload in the key areas of marking, planning and data management. The groups reported early this year, and set out clear principles about what should happen in schools to reduce unnecessary workload in these areas. The Government has accepted all the relevant recommendations made by the groups, and we will continue to work with the teaching profession to make sure they have the ongoing support they need to continue reducing unnecessary teacher workload. We have recently conducted the first biennial Teacher Workload Survey, which will allow us to track teacher workload over the coming years. The results of the first survey will be published later this year.

Pupils: Mental Health

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her Oral Answer of 4 July 2016 to Question 905617, on Mindfulness in Schools, when she plans to publish the results of the  national survey.

Edward Timpson: The survey will provide the first nationally representative assessment of activities carried out by schools and colleges to support their pupils’ and students’ mental health and development of character traits. The fieldwork for the survey has now begun and the Department expects to publish the results early in 2017.

Schools: Admissions

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the effects of family evictions on student numbers at individual schools.

Nick Gibb: The Department has not made an assessment of the effects of family evictions on student numbers at individual schools.

Pupils: Personal Records

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department consulted (a) schools and (b) parents on the new requirement to collect country of birth data in the 2016-17 school census; how parents are informed of their right to opt out of providing that information; for what purpose that information will be used; whether that information will be shared with other Government departments; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The collection of data on the country of birth and nationality of pupils will be used to improve our understanding of the scale and impact of pupil migration on the education sector and provide the Department with a better evidence base for future policy decision making. These new data items will provide valuable statistical information on the characteristics of these groups of children, along with their attainment and destinations, and allow the Department to measure whether the individual pupils, or the schools they attend, face additional educational challenges. The data will be collected solely for the Department’s internal use for the analytical, statistical and research purposes described above. There are currently no plans to share the data with other government departments unless we are legally required to do so. All Departmental proposals for new, or revised, data collections are reviewed by the Star Chamber Scrutiny Board (SCSB). The SCSB is an external panel of representatives from schools and local authorities who approved the collection of country of birth data via the school census in November 2015. The Department have not consulted directly with parents regarding the changes to the school census. As we do not have a means of directly communicating with individual parents ourselves, the Department provides a privacy notice template for schools to use to explain to parents what personal data they collect, why it is collected, who it is shared with and what it is used for. As data controllers in their own right, we do not advise schools directly on their collecting and processing of personal data or regulate their compliance with the Data Protection Act but the template we provide to schools gives parents access to further information about the Department’s use of their children’s data.

Education: Left Handed People

Nigel Huddleston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential correlation between left-handedness and levels of educational attainment; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not hold data on whether pupils are left-handed and therefore has not made an assessment of their levels of educational attainment.

Academies: Bury St Edmunds

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of (a) trends in the take-up of academy places and (b) the performance of academies in Bury St Edmunds constituency in the last five years.

Edward Timpson: The number of pupils on roll in the nine academies in the Bury St Edmunds Constituency for the years when they were open as academies from January 2012 to January 2016 is provided in the table below:  20122013201420152016Bury St Edmunds County Upper School1009993957978987Horringer Court Middle School296272307356371Westley Middle School468466470468478Priory School121117129135143Tollgate Primary SchoolN/AN/AN/A224273Great Barton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolN/AN/AN/AN/A200Rattlesden Church of England Voluntary Controlled SchoolN/AN/AN/AN/A123Thurston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolN/AN/AN/AN/A197Woolpit Community Primary SchoolN/AN/AN/AN/A171Source: School Census, January 2012 to 2016 The percentage of pupils achieving level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths at key stage 2 in 2012 to 2015 for academies with results in 2015 in the Bury St Edmunds constituency was as follows:  2012201320142015Horringer Court Middle School64%72%79%83%Westley Middle School67%70%80%78%Source: School Performance Tables The percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and mathematics GCSEs at key stage 4 in 2012 to 2015 for the academy with results in 2015 in the Bury St Edmunds constituency was as follows:  2012201320142015Bury St Edmunds County Upper School74%77%70%70%Source: School Performance Tables There were no open academies in Bury St Edmunds constituency before August 2011 and no academy results before 2012. Key stage 4 results from 2014 reflect the removal of many equivalent vocational qualifications and other reforms.

Schools: Mental Health Services

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what mental health support systems are in place in schools to tackle eating disorders and anorexia.

Edward Timpson: Education professionals have a vital role to play in raising concerns about eating disorders and anorexia, and other mental health issues, as well as providing support when such issues have been identified. Schools should consider how to provide appropriate support to their pupils and they are able to decide on the most appropriate way to do this, based on their individual circumstances. One of the best ways is as part of a ‘whole-school’ approach and we have taken a range of actions to support them to do this, including being informed about eating disorders and anorexia. We have funded guidance and age-appropriate lesson plans on teaching mental health in PSHE – which covers teaching about eating disorders and anorexia. Training for teachers on eating disorders and anorexia is available through MindEd, a free online portal which has been developed to enable all adults working with children and young people learn more about specific mental health problems and how to support them. We have also revised and updated our blueprint for effective school-based counselling. However teachers are not mental health specialists, and can need specialist help to support pupils with eating disorders and anorexia. We have contributed to a £3m joint pilot between schools and specialist mental health services, to help schools draw on specialist support for their pupils, where needed. To improve the specialist support available, the Government made available £150m in April 2015 for 5 years to enable specific improvements in the support available to young people with eating disorders. In 2016 -17, £30m of this funding has been allocated by NHS England to Clinical Commissioning Groups to improve community based eating disorder services.

Pupils: Left Handed People

Nigel Huddleston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an estimate of the proportion of left-handed pupils in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not collect data on the number of left-handed pupils in primary and secondary schools.

Schools: Finance

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of increased national insurance and pension employer contributions on school budgets.

Nick Gibb: Funding for education is a priority for the Government. At the Spending Review last November, the Chancellor protected the core schools budget in real terms, enabling a per-pupil protection for the dedicated schools grant. Throughout this Parliament the money available for our schools will increase as pupil numbers rise. We recognise that schools are facing increased costs as a result of changes to employer pension and national insurance contributions. We believe that the best way to help schools is through the introduction of a national funding formula. A national funding formula will do more to put all schools on a level playing field, where funding is matched to need. It will also make it easier for head teachers, governing bodies and local authorities to compare their spending and outcomes with other schools.

Ministry of Justice

Social Networking

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of legislation relating to online abuse on social media.

Dr Phillip Lee: I refer the hon. member to the answer given to PQ 42962 on 21 July 2016.

CAFCASS

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment her Department has made of the performance of Cafcass.

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department plans to carry out a review of the organisational efficiency and effectiveness of Cafcass.

Dr Phillip Lee: The Government is confident that the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) continues to provide high quality social work advice to support decisions by the courts in cases involving children. This reflects the outcome of the inspection in 2014 by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) which judged that as a minimum all children, young people and families receive a service where the quality and effectiveness of Cafcass practice is ‘good’. In addition, the department regularly assesses Cafcass’ efficiency and effectiveness and holds Cafcass to account for its performance, governance and stewardship of public funds.

Social Security Benefits: Suffolk

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many decisions taken on claims for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments were appealed in (i) Bury St Edmunds constituency and (ii) Suffolk in each of the last five years; and how many of those appeals were successful.

Dr Phillip Lee: HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) does not hold accurate information on the volumes of appeals against decisions on claims for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). At the point of receipt and registration of the appeal the Tribunal is unable to differentiate between appeals relating to new claims for these benefits and those to relating existing claims.Information about the volumes and outcomes of appeals to the Tribunal is published at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2016. The tables below provide information on the number of appeals against decisions taken on ESA and PIP claims that were found in favour of the appellant, that were heard at (i) the Tribunal venue at 1Cambridge, which serves appellants living in the Bury St Edmunds constituency and other nearby locations; and (ii) Suffolk. ESA claims (excluding reassessment decisions) 2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-161Cambridge17117125233752Suffolk1,1778691,797332537 3PIP claims (excluding reassessment decisions) 2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16Cambridge00014103Suffolk00050532 1 The tribunal venue in Cambridge serves appellants living in the Bury St Edmunds constituency and other nearby locations2 Suffolk includes the data from the Cambridge, Colchester, Ipswich & Norwich venues.3 PIP was introduced as a new benefit in April 2013 to replace Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16 to 64, and appeal volumes have risen since that time.  Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, the details are subject to inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale case management system.

Ministry of Defence

Territorial Army

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to (a) invest in and (b) modernise Territorial Army centres.

Mark Lancaster: The Department continues to develop and invest in the Army Reserves, including its infrastructure and estate, in line with commitments set out in the Reserves White Paper (Cm8655) published on 3 July 2013 and accompanying statement (Official Report, column 49WS) and through our wider estate optimisation plans.



Army Reserve (Structure and Basing)
(Word Document, 18.19 KB)

Syria: Military Intervention

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral contribution of the Minister for Armed Forces of 27 June 2016, Official Report, column 19, what recent steps he has taken to develop joint policy on investigating civilian casualties.

Mike Penning: The Coalition is in the process of developing a joint policy on investigating civilian casualties. However, until that is finalised, the current policy is that each coalition member investigates civilian casualties according to their respective national methodology.

Islamic State

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral contribution of 24 May 2016, Official Report, column 414, whether the battle damage assessment carried out after every RAF strike assesses whether civilians have been injured as a result of UK strikes.

Mike Penning: As set out in my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary's contribution, the Ministry of Defence conducts a battle damage assessment after every RAF strike. This assessment reviews the strike, including whether it resulted in civilian casualties. Based on this careful assessment we have no evidence of civilian casualties as a result of any UK strikes in Iraq or Syria since combat operations began in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Islamic State

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2016 to Question 39927, what the procedure is for triggering an independent service police investigation into an allegation of civilian casualties.

Mike Penning: An independent Service Police investigation would be triggered in Iraq or Syria when there is substantive evidence that civilians have or may have been killed or injured through the actions of UK forces.

MOD Wethersfield

James Cleverly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the sale of MDP Wethersfield on (a) the Volunteer Glider Squadron based there and (b) air cadets in the Eastern region.

Mark Lancaster: All units based at Wethersfield including 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron will be provided for elsewhere. Work to identify the future location for these units will be completed later this year. We are strongly committed to the Air Cadets in the Eastern Region and 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, when it moves from Wethersfield, will expand into its new role as a regional hub.

Knightsbridge Barracks

James Cleverly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the sale of Knightsbridge Barracks; and when he expects the site to be put out to tender.

Harriett Baldwin: The plans to dispose of Hyde Park Barracks are in development and it is too early to say when land may be released for sale.

Defence: Satellite Communications

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to upgrade the Skynet A5 satellite system.

Harriett Baldwin: We currently have no plans to upgrade the specific SKYNET 5A satellite. The Ministry of Defence is currently examining options to sustain the capability currently provided by the Skynet constellation.

MOD Wethersfield

James Cleverly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the selling of MDP Wethersfield on the Ministry of Defence Police.

Mark Lancaster: There is not expected to be any effect on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police. 91% of all operational MOD Police Officers are stationed at other locations around the United Kingdom with Wethersfield providing a Headquarters and training capability. The functions and facilities currently provided at Wethersfield to support the Ministry of Defence Police have already been surveyed and they will be re-provided at a new location. The eventual move of the MOD Police from Wethersfield will be managed to ensure minimal disruption or risk to the policing and security of the Defence estate

Ministry of Defence: Property

James Cleverly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what property assets his Department (a) has sold in the last five years and (b) plans to sell before 2020 as part of the Government's commitment to dispose of surplus assets and make better use of the Department's estate.

Mark Lancaster: A copy of the Department's property assets sold within the last five years is attached.The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to releasing land to accommodate 55,000 homes before 2020, in support of the Government's public sector land release target. The MOD has also committed to reducing the built Defence estate by 30% by 2040. This year in January and March I announced 19 sites which will provide land for some 21,000 homes in this Parliament. By the end of this year I shall clarify further land release plans.



43335 - Site List of MOD Disposals - Last 5 Years
(Word Document, 272 KB)

MOD Wethersfield

James Cleverly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of potential alternative uses of MDP Wethersfield.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence together with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) jointly commissioned a study by Cushmann Wakefield in 2015 to identify potential future uses for the Wethersfield site, subject to all necessary planning approvals.The study reported that the site had the potential to be a mixed development of commercial/employment, housing, education and community uses with supporting public open space.The HCA will work closely with the Local Planning Authority and other interested parties to consider the best possible future uses for the site.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing domestic Remotely Piloted Aircraft System pilot training capability.

Mike Penning: The Armed Forces continually assesses aircrew training requirements and the efficacy of its training capability to ensure it is fit for purpose.Specialist flying training for RAF Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) pilots who are not previously qualified and experienced military pilots starts with a bespoke version of Elementary Flying Training on the Tutor aircraft. All pilots then conduct MQ-9 Reaper-specific conversion training and qualifications in the USA. Once this training is completed pilots in the RPAS Pilot branch are awarded their wings. MQ-9 Reaper conversion training is currently conducted at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico and Creech Air Force Base, Nevada using a mix of US and UK facilities and instructors.Watchkeeper training is conducted in both the UK mainland and at the British base on the British Overseas Territory of Ascension Island. All basic manned flying training, theory training and simulator training is conducted in mainland UK, students then deploy to Ascension Island for the live flying elements of their course.Desert Hawk 3 training is conducted in both the UK and USA. All theory training is conducted in the UK but some live flying is conducted in Camp Roberts California.

Military Alliances

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the implications of the outcome of the EU referendum for existing bilateral defence agreements.

Michael Fallon: Immediately after the referendum I contacted a number of my European counterparts to reassure them that Britain remains committed to existing bilateral Defence agreements and to NATO. The then Prime Minister and I reiterated this at the NATO Warsaw Summit. We will continue to engage closely with our Allies and partners.

Department for Work and Pensions

Fairgrounds: Accidents

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many accidents have occurred at funfairs and amusement parks in each of the last five years.

Penny Mordaunt: The figures in the table below provide the number of (a) workers and (b) members of the public who have been reported to HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences 2013 (RIDDOR), as being injured in accidents at funfairs and amusement parks from 2012. Data collected prior to 2012 is not directly comparable due to changes in reporting and recording criteria. Table 1 - Injuries to workers and members of the public in funfairs and amusement parks1 as reported to all enforcing authorities 2012/13 – 2014/15p Year3PublicWorkers­­22012/13479642013/14387562014/15448951 1 Statistics are identified by Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC 2007) class 9321 – Activities of amusement parks and theme parks2 The term worker includes employees and self-employed persons combined3 Due to changes in legislation, the criteria for reporting injuries to workers changed in April 2012 and again in October 2013. Therefore annual estimates of injuries to workers over this period are not directly comparable4 HSE’s analysis of the data for injuries to members of the public at fairgrounds and theme parks in 2014/15 found that upwards of 75% of reported injuries did not meet the criteria for a RIDDOR reportable injury.

Social Security Benefits

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have (a) had their payments reduced and (b) lost their motability cars after transferring from disability living allowance to personal independence payments; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt: Breakdowns of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims made by Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants in payment by type and rate of awards, and reassessment claims by type of clearance (i.e. whether the claim was awarded, disallowed or withdrawn), can be found at https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/The Department does not have verified data on the number of PIP claimants who have had their payments reduced as a result of the move to PIP. We intend to provide more detailed breakdowns of DLA to PIP reassessment outcomes in due course. The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity.The Department does not hold data on whether a DLA recipient has leased a car under the Motability scheme.

Enterprise Allowance Scheme: Bury St Edmunds

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Bury St Edmunds constituency are in receipt of the new enterprise allowance.

Damian Hinds: Statistics published on 29 June 2016 show from April 2011 to March 2016, 210 participants started the mentoring phase of NEA, of which 120 have started a business with support from the scheme in the constituency of Bury St Edmunds.The most recent NEA statistics can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/new-enterprise-allowance-apr-2011-to-mar-2016

Work and Health Programme

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to publish its Work and Health Green Paper.

Penny Mordaunt: We plan to publish the Work and Health Green Paper later this year to start to reframe the discussion with disabled people, those who have long term health conditions and their representative organisations. The Green Paper points towards long-term reform.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Gun Sports

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the value of shooting sports is recognised in legislation protecting wildlife.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Nature protection and management is a devolved issue, so I can only answer with respect to England. When carried out in accordance with the law, shooting is a legitimate and humane activity. In addition to its significant economic contribution, providing jobs and investment in some of our most remote areas, the Government recognises that shooting offers important benefits for wildlife and habitat conservation and can be a useful wildlife management measure.The Government’s position is that people should be free to undertake lawful activities if they wish to do so and shooting is a permitted method of control in legislation protecting wildlife.

Moths: Crops

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to address the recent influx of diamondback moths and its effect on crops.

George Eustice: Diamondback moths migrate to the UK every year. While the number observed this year is particularly high, there has been no significant damage reported in crops and a number of effective pesticides are available for farmers. Protecting our country from pests and diseases is important for our economy, the environment and our health. We will continue to monitor the situation and work with farmers to limit the damage to our valuable crops sector.

Farmers: Bureaucracy

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to minimise bureaucracy for farmers.

George Eustice: During the previous Parliament Defra made significant progress in reducing regulatory burdens on all businesses. These were listed in my Written Ministerial Statement of 25 March 2015. Defra continues to take forward reforms to deliver our policy outcomes more efficiently for farmers. The Farm Visits programme was established in July 2015 to reduce the number of farm visits by 20,000 by 2020, reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and improve customer service. The programme has implemented a single helpline for farmers, started to combine inspections where it is beneficial to the farmer, and, in June established the farm visits coordination unit. I also announced in April changes to the arrangements for reporting livestock movements that will significantly reduce burdens for keepers. A Cutting Red Tape review of farm information reporting requirements is also under way whose recommendations will be published in due course.

Aarhus Convention

Deidre  Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is her policy that the UK will continue to adhere to the terms of the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Until we leave the EU, EU law continues to apply so the UK continues to comply with EU law that implements obligations in the Aarhus Convention. The UK remains a Party to the Aarhus Convention.

Farmers: EU Internal Trade

Deidre  Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to protect the access of UK farmers to European markets.

George Eustice: Until we leave the EU, current arrangements for farming, food and drink and our environment remain in place.We are now preparing to negotiate our exit. Defra will be working with the Department for Exiting the EU on the UK’s withdrawal and future relationship, liaising closely with other key departments on future support for farmers, the food and drink industry and the environment. The Government will work with industry and the public to develop these new arrangements.

Environment Protection: Scotland

Deidre  Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to devolve to Scotland the areas of law and policy on the environment formerly dealt with by the EU after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

George Eustice: Until we leave the EU, current arrangements for farming, fisheries, food and drink, rural affairs and our environment remain in place. Defra will continue to ensure the right policies are in place for a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. We are now preparing to negotiate our exit. Defra officials will be working with the new Department for Exiting the European Union to look at future support for the environment. The Government will work very closely with the Devolved Administrations, Parliament, and a wide range of other interested parties on this approach.

Fisheries: Finance

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will take steps to provide financial support to coastal communities to develop their capacity to manage local fishing waters after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: The precise nature of our relationship with the EU is still being determined and will be subject to negotiation. We will be looking at a future package for fishing, including potential support measures, and will work closely with industry and other key interests to develop these new arrangements.

Flood Control: EU Grants and Loans

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of leaving the EU on EU funding for flood defence projects.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: No Government Grant-in-Aid funding for flood defence projects comes from the European Union. Where EU Structural Funds are being used in partnership funding, current arrangements for such funding will remain in place until we leave the EU.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: UK Withdrawal from EU

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to ensure that the (a) devolved administrations, (b) local government and (c) regional bodies are represented in negotiations to exit the EU.

George Eustice: Until we leave the EU, current arrangements for farming, fisheries, food and drink, rural affairs and our environment remain in place. We are now preparing to negotiate our exit. Defra officials will be working with the new Department for Exiting the European Union to look at future arrangements. The Government will work very closely with the Devolved Administrations, local government and regional bodies on this approach.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Housing: East of England

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much funding he allocated for housing regeneration in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) the East of England in the last five years.

Gavin Barwell: Government expenditure on housing regeneration over the last five years is listed by programme and by the requested geographical areas below. Help to Buy* ExpenditureSt Edmundsbury LA£8,078,832Suffolk £12,627,929East of England£131,886,007 Affordable Housing Programme* ExpenditureNumber of homesSt Edmundsbury LA£6,611,142331Suffolk £42,209,9731,924East of England£136,907,5107,652 Get Britain Building, Local Infrastructure Fund, Builders Finance Fund, Build to Rent ExpenditureBury St Edmunds Parliamentary ConstituencynilSuffolk £4,258,400East of England£81,464,427 *This data is not aggregated by constituency, and is provided instead for the St Edmundsbury Borough Council local authority area.

Parking: Fees and Charges

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment has he made of the effect of high car parking charges on the viability of town centre economies; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Percy: The department does not centrally collect data on high parking charges. Local authorities are responsible for setting local parking charges taking account of local circumstances.We want local authorities to adopt policies that support local town centres, and have recently consulted on "Strengthening Local Government Transparency". The consultation included a proposal to increase the amount of information local authorities would need to publish on parking thereby helping local communities to better understand what revenues were being raised from parking.The intention of this proposed change would be to encourage a better local dialogue between communities and the local authorities that represent them about what appropriate parking charge levels should be.We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

Environment Protection: EU Law

Deidre  Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is his policy to continue to require environmental impact assessment for projects under the same or similar terms to those of current EU law after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Gavin Barwell: Until we leave, the UK will remain a full member of the EU, with all of the rights and obligations. The Department for Exiting the EU will be working on the UK’s withdrawal and future relationship, liaising closely with other key departments on future support for the environment.

Private Rented Housing: Mortgages

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what further steps he plans to take to encourage buy-to-let mortgage lenders to allow longer tenancies.

Gavin Barwell: My Department has worked closely with the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) to encourage longer term tenancies in properties with a buy to let mortgage, including during the development of our Model Tenancy Agreement (MTA). The MTA enables longer tenancies, and addresses lender concerns by including appropriate break clauses. The CML estimates that the majority of buy to let mortgage lenders now permit tenancies of up to two to three years. We continue to encourage lenders to actively promote the use of the MTA to their landlord customers.

Rented Housing

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what further steps he plans to take to ensure that people who require longer tenancies can get them.

Gavin Barwell: My Department has developed a Model Tenancy Agreement for use by landlords and tenants in the private rented sector, which encourages longer term tenancies for those who want them. We are working with the sector to actively promote the use of this and to identify any barriers. We have also established a working group focussed on affordability and security in the private rented sector which will look at what more we can do to help people who require longer tenancies to get them.

Mayors

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 18 July 2016, HC Deb, Official Report, column 538, whether it is the Government's policy not to impose a devolution deal that includes an elected mayor on any area that does not want an elected mayor.

Andrew Percy: The Government’s policy is that if an area is to have an elected mayor, it will be because that area, through its democratically elected representatives, has chosen to have one.

Private Rented Housing

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will estimate the average cost of moving home for a family in the private rented sector.

Gavin Barwell: The department does not collect this information. However, we have set up a working group to look at affordability and security in the private rented sector and one of the issues this is considering is moving costs.

Housing: Construction

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many net new additions to housing supply in England there have been in each category in each year since 1997.

Gavin Barwell: Full information including a breakdown by new build, conversion and change of use and other changes from 2006/07 is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-net-supply-of-housing

Neighbourhood Development Plans

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department plans to take to (a) help expedite implementation of neighbourhood plans and (b) prevent delays resulting from judicial review of such plans.

Gavin Barwell: We are committed to supporting communities throughout the process and encouraging more communities to join them. Reforms in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 will help to speed up and simplify the neighbourhood planning process. We are looking to introduce a new package of measures that would further strengthen the neighbourhood planning process when Parliamentary time allows over the course of the second session.The neighbourhood planning legislation means that most challenges to neighbourhood planning decisions need to be brought within six weeks of the decision that is being challenged, rather than three months for most other judicial review proceedings, with no discretion to extend the time limit. This helps ensure that any associated delays are minimal. The establishment of the Planning Court in 2014 also means that it is more likely that these cases will be heard quickly by a specialist planning judge.

HM Treasury

Financial Services: Regulation

James Cartlidge: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what revenue was received by the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Financial Services Authority from fees and levies payable by regulated firms in each of the last five years.

Simon Kirby: The questions on Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Financial Services Authority fees and levies are both a matter for the FCA, who are operationally independent from Government. The questions have been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the Honorable Member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Double Taxation: Malawi

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will use the UN Model Double Taxation Convention 2011 as the template when renewing the UK tax treaty with Malawi.

Jane Ellison: The tax treaty with Malawi has been renegotiated, though signature has been delayed by a number of factors. Although the UK’s starting point in negotiations is based closely on the OECD model double taxation convention, the Government recognises that developing countries may have a preference for some of the provisions of the UN model. Treaties the UK has recently signed demonstrate that we are willing to accommodate some of those preferences as part of a balanced agreement.

Tobacco: Excise Duties

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will take steps to ensure that all heated tobacco-based products are subject to the same excise rates.

Jane Ellison: As announced at Budget 2016, the government will consult on the duty treatment of heated tobacco products later this year. Heated tobacco products are a recent innovation in the tobacco market and are not directly captured by current legislation, though the tobacco they contain is subject to excise duty under current legislation.

Widening Access Fund

Mr David Hanson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessments has HM Revenue and Customs made of the effectiveness of repaying overpaid national insurance and income tax to NHS trainees under the widening access fund.

Jane Ellison: For claims from 2013-14 NHS trusts are responsible for repaying any overpaid tax or National Insurance contributions in respect of trainees on the Widening Access Scheme. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is working closely with the Trusts to ensure that the rules are correctly applied and NHS trainees receive refunds as quickly as possible. For earlier years HMRC is working through claims from trainees and repaying them directly.

Health Professions: Training

Mr David Hanson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average time taken is for refunds on overpaid national insurance and income tax to be paid to NHS trainees under the Widening Access fund.

Mr David Hanson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many NHS trainees under the Widening Access fund received a refund for their overpaid (a) national insurance and (b) income tax contributions in each of the last six years.

Jane Ellison: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not keep records of the average time taken to process such refunds. HMRC only holds records for the number of NHS trainees receiving refunds under the widening access scheme from April 2013. A total of 8209 refunds have been processed since then, as follows:  2013/142522014/1511152015/1641002016/172742

Cabinet Office

Air Pollution

Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many deaths have been caused by air pollution in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Air Pollution
(PDF Document, 64.61 KB)

Living Wage: Yorkshire and the Humber

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of people in (i) Leeds North West constituency, (ii) the Leeds City Region, (iii) West Yorkshire and (iv) Yorkshire are paid less than the Living Wage Foundation's living wage.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Living Wage
(PDF Document, 242.08 KB)

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, who he has appointed as his new special advisers.

Dr Liam Fox: A list of Special Advisers in Government will be published in due course.

World Trade Organisation

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate his Department has made of how long it will take to negotiate the UK's membership of the World Trade Organisation when the UK leaves the EU.

Mark Garnier: The UK is a Member of the WTO in its own right. However, in leaving the EU, we will need to update the terms of our WTO membership where, at present, our commitments are applied through the EU as a whole. We recognise the need to work with the EU and with other WTO Members in order to ensure a smooth transition which minimises the disruption to our trading relationships with other WTO Members, including developing country Members and our closest trading partners.

Department of Health

Mental Health Services

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have entered the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) East Lancashire in each of the last three years.

Nicola Blackwood: The table provides figures for the number of referrals entering Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) treatment by clinical commissioning group (CCG), England, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15. England Number of referrals entering treatmentCCG CodeCCG Name2012-132013-142014-15 All England434,247709,117815,66500CNHS Darlington CCG1,0151,3601,31000DNHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG2,8343,4703,42000FNHS Gateshead CCG3,0753,7354,20000GNHS Newcastle North and East CCG1,3703,5253,40000HNHS Newcastle West CCG1,1222,6102,48500JNHS North Durham CCG2,8293,1903,28500KNHS Hartlepool and Stockton-On-Tees CCG2,8377,0505,60500LNHS Northumberland CCG4,5416,8006,41000MNHS South Tees CCG3,3395,8204,65000NNHS South Tyneside CCG2,0603,0503,65500PNHS Sunderland CCG1,3125,2205,61500QNHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG1,0981,2803,30500RNHS Blackpool CCG2681,7302,34000TNHS Bolton CCG114,7605,69000VNHS Bury CCG1,7103,0704,22000WNHS Central Manchester CCG1,2691,7501,96000XNHS Chorley and South Ribble CCG1,8162,2253,20000YNHS Oldham CCG5642,3303,76001ANHS East Lancashire CCG3,4203,4956,98001CNHS Eastern Cheshire CCG1,0931,9851,96501DNHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG1,1563,2804,42501ENHS Greater Preston CCG3,0962,2603,96001FNHS Halton CCG5727501,45501GNHS Salford CCG1,7675,2556,93001HNHS Cumbria CCG8,4418,6907,26001JNHS Knowsley CCG8611,9152,57501KNHS Lancashire North CCG1,5111,5053,03001MNHS North Manchester CCG7861,4651,72001NNHS South Manchester CCG1,3921,6601,82501RNHS South Cheshire CCG1,1582,0851,92001TNHS South Sefton CCG1,6302,1703,18501VNHS Southport And Formby CCG1,1301,4902,10001WNHS Stockport CCG1,2742,3305,29001XNHS St Helens CCG9901,0701,88501YNHS Tameside and Glossop CCG9702,0455,50502ANHS Trafford CCG3,1823,8404,40502DNHS Vale Royal CCG7551,3751,25502ENHS Warrington CCG6943,2503,26502FNHS West Cheshire CCG4,8034,3504,51502GNHS West Lancashire CCG1,4541,6352,15502HNHS Wigan Borough CCG3,5366,0203,99002MNHS Fylde and Wyre CCG1,5341,5102,55012FNHS Wirral CCG3,3234,0805,41099ANHS Liverpool CCG6,6848,1159,42099CNHS North Tyneside CCG05,0153,810 Data source: IAPT, Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC)Notes:1. A referral is classified as having entered treatment if it has a first, attended treatment appointment in the year.2. For 2012-13, referrals entering treatment is a subset of referrals received in the year, as this was the first year of the IAPT programme.3. For 2014-15, CCG is the recorded commissioner, unless this was not recorded or not a CCG, in which case the CCG is derived from the patient’s general practitioner (GP) practice or postcode. For 2013-14 and 2012-13, CCG is based on GP Practice. Where CCG and GP Practice were not recorded and could not be assigned, the referral is categorised as 'Unknown'. A list of valid CCGs can be found on the HSCIC website at:http://systems.hscic.gov.uk/data/ods/datadownloads/othernhs4. For this response, we are defining North West and East Lancashire as those CCGs within the following NHS Health Authority regions: Q74 - NHS England North (Cumbria and North East), Q75 - NHS England North (Cheshire and Merseyside), Q83 - NHS England North (Greater Manchester), Q84 - NHS England North (Lancashire).

Osteoporosis: Dietary Supplements

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to make dietary supplements to address osteoporosis available through the NHS.

David Mowat: General practitioners can prescribe any product, which they consider to be a medicine necessary for the treatment of their patients providing that the product is not included in Schedules 1 or 2 to the NHS (General Medical Services contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc.) Regulations 2004 and the doctor is prepared to justify any challenges to their prescribing by their local primary care organisation.

NHS: Contracts

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what requirements his Department directs NHS organisations to place on direct contractors who sub-contract to other providers.

David Mowat: The Department advises National Health Service bodies that they must comply with the Procurement Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015. Regulation 71 requires the prime contractor to provide the contracting authority with names and contact details of personnel in the supply chain. Additionally, regulation 113 requires a contracting authority to place an obligation on the prime contractor to pay undisputed invoices in 30 days down the supply chain.The Crown Commercial Service has published guidance on paying undisputed invoices in 30 days. The following link takes you to the Crown Commercial Service guidance:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/524355/Paying_undispute_invoices_within_30_days_in_supply_chain.pdfThe Department has developed standard NHS terms and conditions for use by NHS bodies procuring non-clinical goods and services from commercial suppliers. Clause 9 ‘Price and payment’ places an obligation on the prime contractor to pay undisputed invoices to its sub-contractors within a period not exceeding 30 days. Clause 28 ‘Assignment, novation and subcontracting’ covers 30 day payment terms for sub-contractors. This clause also states the prime supplier shall endeavour to pay its relevant sub-contractors within a comparable timeframe from receipt by the supplier of such undisputed invoices from its sub-contractors. The following link takes you to the full suite of the NHS Terms and Conditions including the overarching guidance note:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-standard-terms-and-conditions-of-contract-for-the-purchase-of-goods-and-supply-of-servicesAdditionally, NHS England mandates that any clinical services commissioned by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are on the terms of the NHS Standard Contract, which prohibits sub-contracting without the prior written consent of the CCG. The CCG may require approval of the form of sub-contract used, but NHS England does not and cannot itself prescribe the form of sub-contract (although it does publish a template which the CCG may require its provider to use when sub-contracting). Notwithstanding any sub-contracting, the commissioned provider remains responsible to the CCG for delivery of the service.

Health Services: Private Sector

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the NHS budget is spent on private providers which deliver NHS services; and if he will list those providers.

Mr Philip Dunne: The proportion of the National Health Service budget spent by NHS commissioners on the purchase of healthcare from private providers was 7.6% in 2015/16, as confirmed in the 2015-16 Department of Health Annual Report and Accounts. NHS commissioners purchase both healthcare and social care services from a range of private providers – a comprehensive list is not held centrally, but details of Government contracts held centrally can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Freedom of Information

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that there are no further breaches of Freedom of Information regulations on the identification of people making requests on his Department's website.

David Mowat: There have been no recent breaches of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Data Protection Act 1998 in relation to the identification of people making requests on the Department’s website. Guidance and training on the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998 is provided to Departmental staff on a rolling basis.

NHS: Sustainable Development

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) hon. Members, (b) members of the local authority and (c) the public are consulted about the sustainability and transformation plans being developed for Warrington and its surrounding area.

Mr Jeremy Hunt: We acknowledge that local government are vital in helping to set the strategic direction of health and care service development locally. The March guidance to Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) leads clarified that submissions should state how:- partnership arrangements should include local government and explain fit with existing plans, including Health and Wellbeing Strategies and Joint Strategic Needs Assessments;- systems will work with local government to deliver prevention and public health improvements; and- the footprint will engage other employers, working with local government, to improve health and wellbeing of local people. At a regional level, National Health Service arm’s length bodies (ALBs) have:- worked initially with local authority colleagues to agree footprints and STP leadership;- offered membership of the four new regional STP boards to Local Government Association representatives (including the potential for involvement in the assessment of initial returns); and- asked their regional colleagues to continue to work with the STP footprints in their area to encourage them to reflect the knowledge, expertise and experience of local government colleagues where appropriate, e.g. Health and Wellbeing Board leads’ insight into the plans for, and effects on, the local system. As set out in the NHS Shared Planning Guidance, published in December 2015, the success of STPs will depend on having an open, engaging, and iterative process that involves patients, carers, citizens, clinicians, local community partners, parliamentarians, the independent and voluntary sectors, and local government through health and wellbeing boards. The arm’s length bodies responsible for the NHS Five Year Forward View – NHS England, NHS Improvement, the Care Quality Commission, Public Health England, Health Education England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – have asked for local engagement plans as part of the STP process, building where appropriate on existing engagement through health and wellbeing boards and other local arrangements. Where plans propose service changes, formal consultation will follow in due course in line with good practice and legislative requirements. The arm’s length bodies will be holding conversations with each area to assess their plans for local engagement.

Hepatitis: Disease Control

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the UK plans to meet its commitment to the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 made at the 69th World Health Assembly in May 2016.

Nicola Blackwood: On 28 May 2016, the World Health Assembly adopted a Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis for the period 2016-2021. Within this strategy there is a target for elimination of hepatitis C as a major public health threat by 2030. This is a very ambitious goal and requires coordinated efforts across partner agencies. Success is largely dependent on the wider availability and access to new treatments combined with effective planning and integration of hepatitis prevention, testing, diagnosis and treatment within the broader health system. In the United Kingdom, new, highly effective, interferon-free treatments for hepatitis C will contribute to this goal. 5,000 of those affected have already been treated with the new therapies, under the early access schemes operated by NHS England from 2014 to the start of 2016. NHS England are currently funding providers to treat more patients in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.